Collection of recent information for Star Trek Online

Post by **Gandalf** » 2006-09-21 10:53pm

To deal with the wonky concept of Starfleet ships running around shooting things, you could probably institute a system similar to the ST:CCG with the Wartime Conditions card. Starfleet personnel cannot attack, unless attacked first.

It would be easy enough to get exp by doing missions, or "combat training" on the holodeck.

Dendrobius · Post by **Dendrobius** » 2006-09-22 02:20am

It really depends how complicated they make the entire space combat system. If they make it on par with Dangerous Waters, I can really see the necessity for having so many people on the same ship. I know that in DW if we do not use AI stations, a minimum of 3~4 people are necessary to make the OHP work. We usually split it up into this:

- Captain => Bridge, MG stations, has overall command
- ASuW => EW, Weapons Coordinator, Weapons Control
- ASW => Hull Sonar, Towed Array, TMA, Torpedo Control
- Helo guy => Acoustic, ASTAC

Of course, depending on the mission, sometimes the ASW guy or the ASuW guy is not necessary so his stations get done by somebody else. Still, it works in DW, especially if you have multiple threats coming in. The Captain ends up doing a lot more than just saying "ship goes here", he usually ends up coordinating everybody and making sure everybody's engaging the right target. Examples include making sure the ASuW guy has CIWS on Hold when the Helo guy's trying to launch or land his helo, coordinating the helo and ASW with regards to where to drop buoys, coordinating helo and ASuW for spotting, the list goes o n.

So I can see how it could work for a MMORPG, but whether it does or not is another matter entirely.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-09-22 02:27am

You know, I realized how you could turn a ship into a standard MMO party or raid group quite easilly.

Raid Leader/Area Buffer: Captain.
Damage Dealer: weapons officer
Debuffer, and Decurser: Science Officer
Tank: Shield Operator
Healer: Engineer

Now.. just have all the consoles explode a little, damaging your character every time a person takes a hit.

(omfg, my console just critted me for 2500. Where's the tank?!)

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-09-22 02:33am

Will Chief Engineers be able to pull aggro from plasma conduits? Can the buffer keep ahead of the Klingon hexes? If someone *blinds* the tank, will he be able to operate his console?

Dendrobius, obviously it can work. We're talking about the realities of MMOs here. The game *will* be full of retarded leet-speaking 13yos who didn't read the manual and complain about the rigid setting. EVE is the only game I know of that has avoided this, and that's largely because the game is too complex for that sort of player. This has also relegated EVE to eternal-niche status, which I imagine isn't what they're going for here.

Yogi · Post by **Yogi** » 2006-09-22 09:14am

Well, they could make it so you have to solve complex puzzles as an Engineer or Science Officer. That way, by the time you're a Level 50 science officer, you can also do college level set theory. Have fun AND learn math at the same time!!

Yeah, it'll probably never happen.

Cao Cao · Post by **Cao Cao** » 2006-09-22 10:01am

I have the sneaking suspicion that Engineering will be like SWG style crafting.
Get tool/components, get X amount of raw materials.
Repeat same process of crafting/fixing/tweaking/whatever several million times until your skill levels up. Repeat process with more advanced materials.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2006-09-25 06:06pm

Can the Engineer cause a core breach through ineptitude?

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2006-09-25 06:26pm

Sharp-kun wrote:Can the Engineer cause a core breach through ineptitude?

Don't sneese to close to the warpcore!